A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Arlington vs. Bar Harbor for Food, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Arlington or Bar Harbor?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Arlington or Bar Harbor, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Arlington

Arlington is a international, historical, and educational city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a quaint, charming, and picturesque coastal town. With amazing attractions and sights, it's also a fun small town not to be missed. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Arlington and Bar Harbor: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Arlington or Bar Harbor?

Both Bar Harbor and Arlington have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Arlington is better known for its museums and nightlife, while Bar Harbor is more popular for its resorts, beaches, hiking, shopping, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Arlington is well known for its international connections, its biking and walking trails, and being the location of the Pentagon. Bar Harbor is well known for its small town vibe, picturesque setting, whale watching tours, and convenient location near Acadia National Park.

How is Arlington different from Bar Harbor?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bar Harbor and Arlington. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Arlington or Bar Harbor?

Arlington is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Arlington. Arlington National Cemetery is where you'll find the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as well as the tomb of John F. Kennedy Jr. There are many memorials around town, with the most famous being the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial. There are also several museums like the DEA Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Bar Harbor does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Arlington or Bar Harbor? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Arlington and Bar Harbor.

Arlington has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. It's a global city, and the restaurants reflect that. You'll find amazing Thai, Japanese, and Mexican restaurants. There are also less common cuisines to choose from such as Ethiopian, Moroccan, and Peruvian.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Bar Harbor makes for a great culinary experience. The town is famous for its Maine lobster, but there are also countless other types of fresh seafood available. You'll find waterfront restaurants with beautiful views and fresh ingredients.

Is Arlington or Bar Harbor Better for Nightlife?

Arlington is a well-known place for nightlife. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for nightlife and partying.

Arlington offers plenty to do in the evening. The city has a huge young population that drives the nightlife scene. There are clubs, bars, and lounges in many neighborhoods. There are also comedy clubs and plenty of live music.

Bar Harbor doesn't offer many options. It's a peaceful and sleepy town, so you wont find much in the way of nightlife.

Is Arlington or Bar Harbor Better for Resorts?

Bar Harbor is a nice place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Arlington is not a resort destination.

Bar Harbor has a few great resort options. The town is all about the cute hotel. Several favorites include Sand Bar Cottage Inn, Bluenose Inn, and Bar Harbor Inn and Spa.

Arlington is not a resort destination.

Is Arlington or Bar Harbor Better for Beaches?

Bar Harbor is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Arlington is not a beach destination.

Bar Harbor has a beach worth visiting. A nice beach is close by but do note that the sand is very shelly and there is a big difference between high and low tides.

Arlington is not a beach destination.

Is Arlington or Bar Harbor Better for Hiking?

Bar Harbor is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Arlington is not a hiking destination.

Bar Harbor has hiking trails worth exploring. Nearby Acadia National Park has plenty of hiking options. There's also the Bar Harbor Shore Path that wanders along the coastline and offers beautiful views.

Arlington is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Arlington or Bar Harbor?

Bar Harbor is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Bar Harbor. Filled with plenty of local boutique shops, its fun to enjoy some shopping around town.

Arlington is a great destination for shopping. Many neighborhoods have local shops or farmer's markets. There are also shopping centers and malls such as Ballston Quarter, The Crossing Clarendon, and The Village at Shirlington.

Is Arlington or Bar Harbor Better for Families?

Arlington and Bar Harbor are both notable destinations for the whole family.

Arlington is a family-friendly city. Kids will enjoy seeing the planes talk off from Gravelly Point park. There are also plenty of outdoor spaces and educational opportunities in the area, including world class museums.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Bar Harbor. It is a small town with a lot of outdoor activities that kids will enjoy. Whale watching, kayaking, and wildlife spotting are all fun activities for all ages.

Is Arlington or Bar Harbor Better for Couples?

Bar Harbor is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Arlington is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Bar Harbor makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It is a quaint coastal town that is perfect for a couple's getaway or a short honeymoon. There are romantic restaurants, scenic walks, and beautiful views that make this a wonderful retreat.

Arlington is a nice destination for couples. There's a vibrant cultural scene and many international restaurants that couples can enjoy. It's also a great place to take in a show or concert.

Is Arlington or Bar Harbor Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Arlington is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Arlington. There are a couple of hostels and many free activities nearby. There's also great public transportation that makes for a convenient backpacker destination.

Bar Harbor is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It's a small town with mostly high end accommodation so budget travelers and backpackers will struggle to find a place to stay.

Is Arlington or Bar Harbor Better for Students?

Arlington is a well-known place for students. However, Bar Harbor is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Arlington. There are a huge number of colleges and museums in the area as well as many great internship and educational opportunities.

Bar Harbor is not popular with students.

Is Arlington or Bar Harbor Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Arlington is terrific for its public transit. However, Bar Harbor is not a good coastal town for times when you don't have a car.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Arlington can take you anywhere. There is a reliable bus system around town as well as many metro connections.

Public transit is mostly limited in Bar Harbor. There is a free shuttle bus that will help you get around town if needed.

Is Arlington or Bar Harbor a more walkable city?

Arlington and Bar Harbor are high quality when it comes to walkability.

Arlington is a very walkable destination. There are many pedestrian-friendly areas around town, particularly in the neighborhoods that are concentrated around metro stations.

Bar Harbor is very walkable. The town is small enough that it's easily explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Arlington Worth Visiting? and Is Bar Harbor Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bar Harbor or Arlington?

How long in Arlington or Bar Harbor?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Arlington and Bar Harbor. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Arlington than in Bar Harbor. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Arlington, and 2-3 days is enough time in Bar Harbor.

Families should spend more time in Bar Harbor than Arlington. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Bar Harbor, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Bar Harbor than Arlington. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Bar Harbor that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Arlington than Bar Harbor if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Arlington.

One day in Arlington or Bar Harbor?

With museums and nightlife around the historical city of Arlington, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Even though Bar Harbor is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Arlington or Bar Harbor?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Arlington, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Bar Harbor is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and food. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal town has to offer. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Arlington or Bar Harbor?

Arlington, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Bar Harbor is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Arlington or Bar Harbor?

Arlington is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Bar Harbor is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, and The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arlington and Bar Harbor, we can see that Arlington is more expensive. And not only is Bar Harbor much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bar Harbor would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bar Harbor and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Arlington would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arlington than you might in Bar Harbor.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Arlington Expensive? and Is Bar Harbor Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Arlington or Bar Harbor?

Arlington has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Bar Harbor. When comparing the sizes of Arlington and Bar Harbor, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Arlington or Bar Harbor?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Arlington or Bar Harbor in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Arlington as well as Bar Harbor. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Arlington this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bar Harbor for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Arlington is a little warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the summer temperatures in Arlington in July average around 79°F (26°C), and Bar Harbor averages at about 69°F (21°C).

Arlington usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Bar Harbor. Arlington gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Arlington or Bar Harbor in the Autumn?

Both Bar Harbor and Arlington are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Arlington for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Bar Harbor in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Arlington is generally much warmer than Bar Harbor. Daily temperatures in Arlington average around 60°F (15°C), and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

In October, Arlington usually receives less rain than Bar Harbor. Arlington gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Arlington or Bar Harbor in the Winter?

Both Bar Harbor and Arlington during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Arlington in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bar Harbor for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

Bar Harbor can be very cold during winter. Arlington can get quite cold in the winter. Arlington is much warmer than Bar Harbor in the winter. The daily temperature in Arlington averages around 35°F (1°C) in January, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 18°F (-8°C).

Arlington usually gets less rain in January than Bar Harbor. Arlington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Arlington or Bar Harbor in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Arlington and Bar Harbor. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Bar Harbor because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Arlington is much warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the spring temperatures in Arlington in April average around 56°F (14°C), and Bar Harbor averages at about 43°F (6°C).

In April, Arlington usually receives less rain than Bar Harbor. Arlington gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bar Harbor and Arlington